The trick is ease into it
IT is now the third week of training for the Gold Coast Marathon in July and I’m easing into it.
I know what you’re thinking. How can you be easing into it? It less than 20 weeks away!
Ah! But that is what the marathon program prescribes dear reader. I am just following the guide set out by my.asics.com (and, no, I have not been bribed to use the Asics name – other companies, yes, but not them!).
The trick is to start with gentle jogs and progress to longer, faster runs, building endurance and stamina.
I like gentle jogging because I can wistfully observe houses and people and such, and reflect on important issues, like why Dr Phil is so very persuasive. I settled that it comes down to his folksy southern accent and moustache. I trust all men with moustaches.
Below I have set out for you my training diary this week. Helpful? You’re damn right it is!
Monday: Asics tell me to jog gently at a pace of 8:31min/ km, which is practically a crawl. I head down Hedges Ave and back. Is that 3km? I’m pretty sure it is but don’t check because it might not be and I’d have to do more.
Tuesday: Another gentle 3km job at a slow, slow, slow pace. This is all good stuff. I stretch before and after and use my new Asics gear, which keeps me cool and dry (promo alert!).
Wednesday: More of the same gentle jogging. I’m thinking: ‘Gosh this is so easy. Why is everyone telling me how hard this will be’?
Thursday: It’s raining and I have to drive late to Ipswich so I forgo the gentle jog and settle for curry, a bottle of white wine, and a scotch as a nightcap. We all fail from time to time, I reflect, and forgo the usual self commiseration. People tell me I’m not doing this right and I’m bluffing. Far out, who is running a marathon, them or me?
Friday: I shoot a video with my trainer – Andrew ‘HeMan’ Potts. It was raining again so Potts-Man drilled me on some nifty exercises. I think one was called a burpie. It was hard and now my legs ache. I have resolved to run on Friday night. Success!
Advice I have received this week includes taping my nipples to stop them chafing and bleeding, and not applying sunscreen to my forehead. That’s because when I sweat the sunscreen does run down my face and in my eyes. Horrible thought! So that’s it for another week. ‘Til next time’!
I LIKE GENTLE JOGGING BECAUSE I CAN WISTFULLY OBSERVE HOUSES AND PEOPLE AND SUCH, AND REFLECT ON IMPORTANT ISSUES.